LASH-UP YOUR FASHION GAME

An elaborately laced dress is not only lovely but also enhanced by the social standing of the privileged who may wear it and the general public who desire it. Even just the term “lace” conjures up a picture of an ethereal fabric with frilly and feminine overtones. We rarely pause to think about the history of lace, despite the fact that it can be found everywhere, from the doilies on a grandmother’s armchair to the edgings on alluring garments. The Fashion Museum in Bath’s exhibit Lace in Fashion charts the rise of this delicate fabric from its humble beginnings as a labor-intensive handicraft to its current status as a modern, machine-made fabric seen all over the runways.

In order to create net mesh patterned work, lace is a delicate, openwork fabric that is often made from cotton, linen, silk, or metallic threads. Lace has been worn as a status symbol since the 15th century when whitebordered cuffs and collars indicated your social standing. It is a common trim today, especially for lingerie and bridal attire. Lace evolved into one of the most sophisticated materials on the planet as a result of the expansion of the lace industry and the flappers’ demand for a more contemporary interpretation of lace, which featured garments with straight lines, a loose fit, and mixed lace designs. It’s still a fabric that, over a century later, isn’t sure if it’s an angel or a demon; a pricey material we put on the highest pedestal or a sassy fibre used to produce budget négligées. Although it was mostly a 20th-century fixation that has lost its relevance now, purity is a secondary connotation of white lace. White lace has earned a reputation for also representing fresh starts and rebirth. If a pattern is recognised as being from a specific area, it might honour a lineage or a family’s heritage. You can still buy heirloom lace. Additionally, there are those who can knit heirloom lace, continuing the tradition of handcrafted lace.